Human Nature

I agree with Jersey, that some of what Hobbes is saying is worth listening to. The people need structure and cannot have power, because they will only compete. However, Hobbes does not say anything about the punishment for a broken law. So this leads me to believe that he thinks that the absolute rule of the leader, or leaders, and the fear placed upon the people will be enough. Look at our world, most of us fear the government, but there are those who still break the law. Humans never always aim for what is good even when they know the risks. People still run red lights when they are in a rush, even though they know they could endanger themselves and even endanger others. How is this different from other wrongs that people commit? He will need more than fear to keep people. He said himself that people have the ability to reason, so they reason how the outcome of the crime will benefit themselves. If they feel that the risks are worth taking than they will defy the law. Hobbes should know that he will need more than consequences to keep people at bay.

I believe that he should have analyzed peoples reasoning more than anything else. If the prize is going to benefit the individual they are more than likely to get it. I think that Hobbes has a pretty good idea about how to govern a group of people. However, I think he has lacked to comprehend the extent of peoples decision based on their desires.